Grapes and Olives
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Object Label
Grapes and Olives displays a compositional formula that Henry Roderick Newman preferred—one that features a foreground dominated by objects in “close-up” (here, the grapes and olives) and that offers a sweeping, long-distance view (the Gulf of Spezia in Italy). Newman’s miniaturist application of watercolor paint on such a large format suggests that he sought not only to justify watercolor as an important medium, but to perpetuate Ruskinian notions linking the creation of art with moral righteousness, as expressed in the painstaking labor of the painter.
Caption
Henry Roderick Newman American, 1843–1917. Grapes and Olives, 1878. Watercolor with selectively applied glaze over graphite pencil on moderately thick rough-textured wove paper, 26 x 18 13/16 in. (66 x 47.8 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Purchased with funds given by Sol Schreiber in memory of Rose Schreiber, and with funds given by Joanne and Eugene Witty, Dick S. Ramsay Fund and Designated Purchase Fund, 1996.90.2. No known copyright restrictions (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 1996.90.2_SL1.jpg)
Gallery
Not on view
Collection
Gallery
Not on view
Collection
Artist
Title
Grapes and Olives
Date
1878
Medium
Watercolor with selectively applied glaze over graphite pencil on moderately thick rough-textured wove paper
Classification
Dimensions
26 x 18 13/16 in. (66 x 47.8 cm)
Signatures
Signed and dated lower left: "H. R. Newman / 1878"
Markings
no watermark visible
Credit Line
Purchased with funds given by Sol Schreiber in memory of Rose Schreiber, and with funds given by Joanne and Eugene Witty, Dick S. Ramsay Fund and Designated Purchase Fund
Accession Number
1996.90.2
Rights
No known copyright restrictions
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